Marriage????????

Fifteen years ago, 1989, Hyderabad.

It was a hot Sunday afternoon, when Mrs. Malur was resting after her daily chores. Mr. Malur was on his couch, a pipe in his mouth, relishing the holiday. Summer was at its peak and the old big Air-Cooler was making a gushing sound in the serene neighborhood, but keeping the Malurs cool.

In came Ravi, 12-year-old, the youngest of the Malurs. He said, "I don't know why people marry."

Mother was stunned looking at her 12-year-old speak about marriage, but then felt that it needed a more practical answer than the usualy ones given to kids. She said, "It is something that you would do when you come of age."

Argument began between mother and son. The older one and the father were the onlookers. Astonished by the questions of his younger son, the father replied, "What will you do when you grow up and have to go to the office and then who do you think will take care of the house for you?"

Silence surrounded the room, the only noise coming from the cooler and a distant chirping of birds. Moments later, the boy had a glow of wisdom on his face and said, "I will hire a servant."

Mom laughed and said, "Do you mean I am the servant in the house?" The boy ran away.

Last Saturday, 2004, the same boy got engaged, to a wonderful looking girl. Least did he remember that he had opted to hire a servant and not to marry, but in the corner of the big hall, the mother did.

Her child had grown and become mature, she thought to herself.